During a press conference at the ongoing Proton Saga media test drive, we got a little update on the company’s sales performance for its recent model introductions.

Starting with the car we were invited to sample, the most affordable Proton (launched less than three weeks ago) has managed to notch up 6,000 bookings, with 1,000 units registered as of today, according to Rohime Shafie, CEO of Proton Edar.

As for the Saga’s larger sibling, the Persona, which was launched back in August has now managed to record over 15,000 bookings, with 4,500 units already in the hands of owners.

The national carmaker had revealed at the launch of both models that the monthly sales target for the Persona is 3,000 to 4,000 units per month, whereas for the newly-introduced Saga, it is 5,000 units per month. The latest figures provided here show that Proton is on track to hit its targets.

Shafie explained that the big difference between bookings and deliveries is due to the difference in the time it takes for car buyers to secure financing.

He noted that those looking to purchase a Saga were required to submit more documents, hence a longer time needed before their loans are approved. On the other hand, the Persona, which occupies a higher segment (B), required a shorter approval time due to its different customer base.

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

Soon Ertiga will come out.Time for Proton get rid of satria,suprimaS and inspira in their production lines..Then hurry for new model Exora with the new bigger engine.Focus more on bread and butter model,exports to developing countries not euro or Australia..Too many models with a limited resources can’t sustain long term business.Learn from the past not spending hell like 1.5B is your free money

liking your idea. I think Proton management and government special task force already look at this option. But I wonder what happened to the factory that suppose to open at Bangladesh? Monkey talk eh??

yeahhhhhh sad basher…from 2014 and until now, its been 2 years same lorr play important role in this paultan website :) and from 2014, he is only talk about RV, Campro & CVT bising punch HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA what a sad :( only that u can do same lorr? no other point? :( k’mon same lorr :( dont make me sad , you wanna make me cry cuz only talk about that..same lorr? i can imagine if you tidur d larut malam, mesti you cakap kuat2 “Bad RV.. Campro & CVT bising Punch again!” (beginilah kalau same Lorr mengigau kot) …but, Thanks to him, because of him, proton campro engine and the CVT Punch become much better and better, became more smoother, more refined, and doesn’t make loud sound again :)..THANKS SAME LORR..guys, am i only realized that proton engineer are great! ? they tuned their Punch CVT until the gearbox are acting like torque converter CVT ! the saga&persona owner may be think that his/her proton already using better technology gearbox, but the fact is, the owner actually doesn’t realize that their car actually still using Punct cvt gearbox..GOOD JOB PROTON ENGINEER! you become better and better..and 2018, will be a good year for proton..GDI & TGDI engine + torque converter cvt + Euro 6 ! Same Lorr, what you gonna do? Please make a new strategy !!!

Okays okays! I admits! These 2 r eating big chunks into my Biza sales. The excitement is gone and more r cancelling their queue on the waiting list. Nowadays I have to use my minuscule komisen to jump ahead of others just to keep my sales. There! R u happy now, P1?!

Remember when Proton sales overtook Perodua for 3 months because of Fukushima incident? Proton siap letak banner at their office bragging that they recaptured the number 1 position ….. for that 3 months.

for your information, you is the most syok sendiri here, dont want accept the truth, and make syok sendiri story just want to make yourself more happy..whatever u trying to say, u think proton will care? hahahaha nope, proton dont have enogh time to read your comment(what a syok sendiri, so sad), because they wanna focus and become better and better on their future. you ? only dreaming to mars that proton will close shop HAHAHAHAHAHA

If you have 50k to spare, the decision between the Persona and Bezza is a no brainer. The Persona is, by every single account possible, the better car, hands down.

I’ve driven the Persona, the god-damn throttle lag and the unresposive, jerking, dreaful CVT whine of the Iriz is no where to be seen. In fact, the Persona is so responsive off the line, almost like a Myvi! So, is not the hardware per se, that beleaguered the Punch CVT after all, it’s actually in the tuning that Proton’s engineer messed up in the previous iteration in the form of Saga, Exora, Preve, Suprima and Iriz.

Transmission tuning is one of the most challenging part of car engineering, a same hardware setup may exhibits entire different characteristic on two cars, almost giving you the impression that it is two different gearboxes. Take Gertag’s DCT-250 for example, the same gearbox feels so much difference on a Ford Focus and a Renault Captur. Transmission tuning is something like ride and handling setup, it’s a “black art”. Anyone can obtain the hardware easily but only those who knows the “secret recipe” can deliver a smooth, responsive, and fuel saving application that appeal to the masses, which is a must in today’s automotive world for any model to become a best seller.

After mistakes done in the Preve, Suprima and Iriz, I am glad to say Proton engineer has finally crack the code on how to tune the Punch CVT. I’m sure anyone who intend to buy a Bezza will be swayed if they give a chance to Proton by sitting behind the wheel and try it out themself. Actually, I recently brought a friend who intended to buy a Bezza to try out the new Persona, which she ended up buying the Persona after a test drive. Now, I pray that Proton really buff up their QC and aftersales, I don’t wish she coming back to me in the future saying that I encourage her to make the wrong choice. Damn it Proton, please buckle up and deliver!

On the other note, the based Persona is only less than 3k away from the Premuim Saga (less than 1k if u opt the manual Persona) , many Saga prospects ended up booking a Persona instead of a Saga (according to an SA in Teluk Intan) , after the evaluate the price ans spec, which by all aspects, the based Persona is still a better can than the premium Saga.

The Persona is the best family sedan at the 40+ to 50k range currently on sale. Now what is left to overcome is the stigma still attached to the batch, and Proton must strive hard to make these Persona and new Saga buyers that they have made the right choice, don’t treat them like garbage, give them value for money service, make sure the QC properly done their job before every car leave Tanjung Malim (don’t give arrogant excuses and living in denial syndrome like those stupid CEOs during the “power window rosak” era) . Do that then Proton is on track to recover. Good luck Proton, make Malaysian proud again.

yeah i think the data about the persona is true..at kota kinabalu, i had already seen 3 or 4 persona at inanam, gayastreet and bukit padang..they are so handsome !..but, still can’t see the saga on the road yet..btw , I have a strong feeling that the saga sure will have high volume sales

I saw many,turn right persona turn left also persona.I don’t see any other brand here! Oh so many..No words can describe.Now i think I’m going out for lunch.Be back in one hour,then continue to check at painting job.Brawn colour so popular here,but i love red one.

Congrats Proton….. you bet on the right choice of new models. With impressive specs list yoo have reignited interest in your brand. But you need to keep it up with reliability and top after sales service. Well done.

I saw a persona this weekend broken down at roadside with salesman in it and customer very angry. There you go. All these numbers are created to hype ppl the truth is that proton bosses are famous to feed lies to Rakyat all the time.

Oh James u must be a big T or p2 salesman affected by cancelled bookings trying hard to slander and gave false alarm about competitors.Exactly like Same Loorrr talking bull about others but inside crying like a baby coz lost sales to better rivals.

hey! I want to convince you that this comment won’t affect the sales volume of the persona since the persona is too good to be ignored..people know that this is an old story, Let it be a history, don’t ungkit old story again, u just like an angry old grandpa that like too ungkit old story…how old are u? your attitude like warga emas..btw, im impressed that warga emas like u still can be keyboard warrior, majuuuuuu

Only the 1st 3 months ada sales la. After all the people buy already no one bothers to buy Proton anymore. All the crap issue and poor after sales start surfacing. First 3 months hit target then thereafter every month sell 500 units. Just like Iriz and Suprima S. Complete utter failure.

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